Where to eat late when tacos and hot dogs won't cut it

After hitting the theater or ballet on a Friday or Saturday night, you might well be hungry. And sometimes a hot dog, pizza or burrito just won't cut it. That's where these restaurants come into play, offering refined late-night eats that beat the pants off a 24-hour greasy spoon. Unless otherwise listed, these restaurants offer their full menu until the kitchen closes.

Serves until 12 a.m.

The Brixton: If you get a craving for diver scallops with vanilla carrot puree, pork belly with watermelon and pancetta or chicken and waffles with bacon-braised green beans and bourbon maple syrup, Andersonville's Brixton will fix you up. 5420 N. Clark St.

Mfk: What Mfk lacks in size (29 seats, including 13 at the bar) it makes up for in flavor with cuisine from Northern Spain: crunchy prawn heads; Cantabrian salt-cured anchovies; oxtail croquettes; braised rabbit with kaffir lime coconut and salsa verde; and cobia collar with clams and shrimp. Add a curated Mediterranean wine list with a focus on crisp, mineral-driven whites and you just took a trip across the pond. 432 W. Diversey Ave.

Ramen San: This crew spent time traveling throughout Japan researching the best ramen spots to make their offerings as authentic as possible before adding a bit of their River North swagger to the ambiance. You can get sashimi, wontons, gyoza and chicken wings, but it's really about the seven types of ramen (kimchi and fried chicken; braised beef; roasted vegetables) and the late-night fried rice (served after 10 p.m.). Bonus: The kitchen stays open until 1 a.m. on Saturdays. 59 W. Hubbard St.

Serves until 1 a.m.

Avec: Visit one of Chicago's top culinary destinations for Mediterranean-inspired small and large plates such as sliced butcher's steak served with berbere spice, tomatoes, cucumber and chickpea hummus; squid-ink pasta with mussels, corn and shishito peppers; whole roasted fish; and their classic bacon-wrapped, chorizo-stuffed medjool dates. 615 W. Randolph St.

Au Cheval: : The line at Au Cheval is no joke, but then again, neither are their thin griddled burger patties topped with American cheese, pickles and deliciously creamy Dijonnaise. You can also get chopped chicken liver, foie gras terrine, a fried bologna sandwich and honey-fried chicken. The piece de resistance? Chilaquiles, served only after midnight. 800 W. Randolph St.

Rootstock: Since opening about five years ago, this wine-focused tavern continues to draw for its oft-changing menu, including charcuterie and cheese, merguez sausage with lentils and golden raisins, Lyonnaise salad, bucatini carbonara and its mostly Old World-focused wine list and extensive beer selection. 954 N. California Ave.

Izakaya Mita: This quaint corner Bucktown spot has one of the city's best sake lists, but also a vast menu of Japanese "tapas." It recently launched late-night offerings on Friday and Saturday nights with a pared-down selection: Japanese-style fried chicken; pickles; marinated baby octopus; and bincho-grilled meats, vegetables and seafood as well as tempura. 1960 N. Damen Ave.

The Betty : Fulton Market's the Betty is a melding of bar, lounge and restaurant. Kick back with a bottle of bubbles or a glass of bourbon and order off chef Rachel Dow's eclectic full menu. You can travel the world and get potato and mushroom pierogies, spaghetti with clams and rapini, chicken tikka masala or a sweet Southern-style banana pudding. 839 W. Fulton St.

Izakaya at Momotaro: Set down a flight of stairs from the main dining room at Momotaro or through a separate entrance off Lake Street, the Izakaya is a dark den of liquid and culinary delights. Grab a menu hanging above the bar and deep dive into Japanese bar snacks including smoked kani king crab deviled eggs, uni chorizo toast, daily sashimi offerings and hot plates such as sizzling clams with roasted garlic and sake or spicy Nagoya beef ramen. 820 W. Lake St.

Pub Royale: This whimsically designed British pub focuses on beer and cuisine from the subcontinent. The edited late-night menu still offers plenty of pub fare including potato, pea and fried onion samosas; cucumber raita with yogurt, tahini and mint; crispy cauliflower with sesame, cashew and a sweet and spicy sauce; and lamb dumplings. In addition to beer, wine and cider, you can explore the Royale Cups, Pimm's Cups, as well as mango lassi, a drink comprising mango, rum, yogurt, honey and bitters. 2049 W. Division St.

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Pork belly at Izakaya Mita

High Five Ramen: Set below Green Street Smoked Meats, this 16-seat spot offers four types of ramen: High Five (incredibly spicy, but can be ordered "half spice" or "no spice"), Kanobo Spice (warning: "There is no relief. Please don't order without careful consideration"), Shoyu ("clean, light, earthy") and Special (shrimp broth with blue prawns and shrimp dumpling). To drink: two beers, two sakes and one whiskey cocktail. 112 N. Green St.

Haywood Tavern: A relative newcomer to the fast-growing California and Augusta intersection, Haywood features the cuisine from heralded veteran Rodney Staton in a casual, unpretentious, welcoming atmosphere inspired by the taverns of Europe. Come for a $3 draft PBR, stay for the $3.50 bites: salt cod croquettes, deviled egg-stuffed piquillo peppers, or go bigger with grilled octopus with Yukon gold potatoes and beef tartare with capers, cornichons and anchovy. Pro tip: If you find yourself in the area on a Monday, go in before 10 p.m. for a $15 lobster roll, chips and beer special. 2759 W. Augusta Blvd.

Quartino Ristorante: Every night until 1 a.m., you can get Quartino's full menu of quality Italian fare with wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas, housemade pastas, osso bucco, eggplant parm, meatballs, risotto and a full bar with 50 Italian wines. Arriving after 1 a.m. on a Saturday? You can still get their crispy-crust pizzas until 2 a.m. 626 N. State St.

RM Champagne Salon: Tucked down a cobblestone alley, this French-inspired salon offers its full menu till midnight, then switches to a smaller late-night menu until 1 a.m.: crab claws with Louis dressing, oysters on the half shell and Maine lobster with a green Tabasco aioli; and flatbreads such as bacon, fontina cheese and onion. Dessert, which includes homemade gelato, is available until 2 a.m. 116 N. Green St.

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Tapas and pixtos at Black Bull and Bordel

Serves until 2:30 a.m. or 3:30 a.m.

Celeste: Step away from the maddening River North crowds into a refined haven that feels like you've entered something from a bygone era with plenty of room to breathe. Celeste's late-night menu is available on its two floors as well as its rooftop (until 2:30 a.m. on Friday; 3:30 a.m. on Saturday), so you can get beef tartare with ramp aioli; fried Amish chicken; falafel made with red lentils; and bacon-infused mac and cheese. 111 W. Hubbard St.